Last year SCD presented an un-cooled detector product line based on the high-end VOx microbolometer technology. The first PFA (BIRD384) launched was a 384x288 software configurable (to 320x240 or other) format with 25μm pitch1. NETD values for these FPAs are better then 50mK with an F/1 aperture and 60 Hz frame rate. Since then SCD has concentrated in improving both spatial and temporal performance. In order to reduce the Residual Non-Uniformity (RNU) and increase the time span between shutter operations, SCD has incorporated various features within the FPA and supporting algorithms2. Improved temporal performance was achieved by optimizing concurrently the membrane structure and ROIC electronics. SCD has demonstrated temporal NETD of ~ 20mK @ F/1 at 30Hz on a 160x120 BIRD compatible array. This figure of merit, accompanied by the superior stability and reduced power consumption, makes SCD's VOx based detectors suitable candidates for a broad range of "high-end" military and commercial applications.
[1]
Paul W. Kruse,et al.
Uncooled Thermal Imaging Arrays, Systems, and Applications
,
2001
.
[2]
U. Mizrahi,et al.
Uncooled detectors optimized for unattended applications
,
2005,
SPIE Remote Sensing.
[3]
U. Mizrahi,et al.
Advanced features of SCD's uncooled detectors
,
2005,
Optics + Optoelectronics.